Practice Development Update
Michelle MacGillivray September 08
In this article you will learn about Medicare advice sources, a reminder about Domestic Violence Training Program for Practice Nurses which allows PIP practices to access a new PIP payment, and some Accreditation Tips from AGPAL.
Information sheets
For information on Medicare Australia's compliance information sheets please visit Medical Practitioner - Helpful Fact Sheets. Targeted compliance audits are specific, in-depth reviews aimed at confirming compliance with the appropriate legislation or benefit schedules. They are part of a number of strategies applied to address threats or abuse against the various programs administered by Medicare Australia. Audits are conducted by Medicare Australia program review staff in consultation with professional advisers.
Source: AGPN Mid-Week Facts - 17 September 2008
Medicare Australia: CDM information sent to practices
Medicare Australia recently sent information packs to general practices and allied health providers to increase awareness and correct use of the MBS CDM items. The information included:
- Quick reference guides for GPs and allied health professionals (additional copies are available here)
- An information sheet (GP practice managers only)
- Department of Health and Ageing Information sheet and brochure for patients (GP practice staff only).
- A covering letter detailing the purpose of the information packs and instructions on accessing further CDM reference material
This information aims to reinforce key requirements and will assist health care professionals to prepare comprehensive care plans.
Source: AGPN Mid-Week Facts - 17 September 2008
Domestic Violence Training Program for PNs and AHWs in rural areas
Has your practice considered sending a Practice Nurse to the National Domestic Violence workshops for the Domestic Violence Referral Points Project? The national rollout of the training program will continue until June 2009 in rural and remote regions across Australia.
Feedback via divisions from participants at the workshops continues to be very positive. The content of the workshops is reportedly very effective at increasing the ability of participants to recognise early signs of people experiencing domestic violence, an understanding of the personal and family affect and dynamics, and local referral options.
There are support payments available to assist practices to have nurses attend the education. In addition the practice may be eligible for a PIP payment once they have a qualified nurse on staff. The training is available in both a face to face and online format.
More information: Practice Nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers as Domestic Violence Referral Points Project
Source: AGPN Mid-Week Facts - 17 September 2008
Accreditation Tips from AGPAL
CPR
The RACGP Standards for general practices 3rd edition have an unflagged indicator under standard 3.2 relating to CPR qualifications.
The indicator states that all general practice staff have undertaken training in CPR within the past three years. The training may be formal or informal and only needs to occur once in the three year period. However, the indicator is unflagged which means it CPR training is not mandatory.
If GPs are involved in the QA&CPD program for the RACGP or ACRRM, they must also fulfil the CPR requirements for these programs. For example, the RACGP QA&CPD program requires GPs to complete a basic CPR course within the three year triennium.
Change of ownership
If a practice is selling their practice, and wish that their accreditation status be transferred to the new entity as part of the sale, AGPAL will request documentary evidence before any changes can be made.
The practice cannot retain its accreditation status if the seller has not advised AGPAL they are selling the practice and the accreditation is part of the sale. When advised, AGPAL will send the practice a 'Change of Ownership Form' to complete.
RACGP standards
The RACGP Standards for general practices 3rd edition require practices to ensure reasonable arrangements for medical care for patients outside normal opening hours is available (Criterion 1.1.4).
The indicators for Criterion 1.1.4 are:
Indicator A: There is evidence of one (or a combination) of the following for our patients:
- our practice's GP(s) provide(s) their own care for patients outside the normal opening hours of the practice either individually or through a roster, or
- formal arrangements for cooperative care outside the normal opening hours of our practice exist through a cooperative of one or more local practices, or
- formal arrangements exist with an accredited medical deputising service, or
- formal arrangements exist with an appropriately accredited local hospital or an after hours facility, in the circumstances where we do not use an accredited medical deputising service or cooperative.
Where a practice is providing care as indicated above, then the documentation of the arrangement must include:
- reference to the timely reporting of the care provided back to the patient's nominated practice,
- a defined means of access for the deputising practitioner to patient health information and to our practice GP(s) in exceptional circumstances, and
- assessment by our practice that the care outside normal opening hours will be provided by appropriately qualified health professionals.
Indicator B: Patient health records contain reports or notes of consultations occurring outside normal opening hours by or on behalf of our practice.
To meet this indicator easily it is a good idea that GPs highlight after hours visits in patient health records. This will ensure that the after hours visits are easily identifiable when a surveyor is carrying out the health record review.
Indicator C: A message on our practice's telephone answering machine, call diversion system or paging system, and a sign visible from outside our practice, provide information to patients on how to obtain care outside normal opening hours.
The practice must have a message on their telephone answering machine or diversion system or paging system and a sign visible from outside your practice which clearly states how patients can arrange for medical care outside normal opening hours.
Indicator D: Our practice has a written policy for the provision of medical care outside its normal opening hours.
A template of a written policy which will enable practices to meet this indicator is available on QbAY.
Source DGP Assist September 2008
This article is available online at http://bddgp.org.au/article/2008/09/practice-development
Comment on this article
Your comments are published on this page. While we encourage your candour and honesty, BDDGP reserves the right to remove advertising or offensive comments.